The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 2018
Filed:
Aug. 22, 2017
Semiconductor Components Industries, Llc, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Swarnal Borthakur, Boise, ID (US);
Loriston Ford, Nampa, ID (US);
Bartosz Piotr Banachowicz, San Jose, CA (US);
SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Abstract
An image sensor may include optically black pixels for obtaining dark current measurements. The image sensor may include dummy pixels between the active pixel array and the optically black pixels. Light incident upon the dummy pixels may be redirected to the optically black pixels, causing inaccurate dark current measurements. Light-blocking structures may be provided in the dummy pixels to prevent light from reaching the optically black pixels. A grid of openings may be formed in the active pixel array and the dummy pixel area. The grid may be filled with color filters in the active area and light-blocking elements in the dummy pixel area. The dummy pixel area may include a single opening in the grid in which a single light-blocking element that covers multiple dummy pixel photodiodes is formed. Light-blocking structures in the dummy pixel area may extend over the optically black pixels.